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Recycling Negotiating Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting

Oct. 23, 2013

The Union of BC Municipalities has struck a new Recycling
Negotiating Committee to address the recently endorsed Resolution 2013 –
SR1. The new Committee held its
inaugural meeting on October 16th in Richmond, where it agreed upon
a terms of reference. The
Committee also discussed a range of outstanding issues surrounding the MMBC
agreement, and engagement with both the Province and MMBC.

The Committee agreed to pursue the development of a
negotiation framework for discussion with MMBC, which would be based on
identified concerns with MMBC's proposed agreement. Rather than negotiating one provincially binding agreement,
the Committee's proposed framework, or template, could then assist local
governments in their own discussions and negotiations with MMBC.

The Recycling Negotiating Committee was struck to address the recently endorsed
Resolution 2013 – SR1, which called for:

the
provincial government and Multi-Materials BC (MMBC) to provide an additional 90
days to local governments to properly clarify and consider the MMBC offer prior
to the implementation of the MMBC Packaging and Printed Paper Stewardship Plan
in May 2014;

a provincial
review and revision of the MMBC stewardship plan to address outstanding local
government concerns; and

the
appointment of a representative committee to negotiate with the Province and
MMBC on the implementation of the MMBC stewardship plan.

The Committee is also currently seeking an audience with the
Minister of Environment, the Honourable Mary Polak, to discuss the packaging
and printed paper implementation plan.

In the coming weeks, UBCM will be soliciting input from
local governments on the status of their discussions and negotiations with
MMBC, as well as outstanding issues with regards to MMBC's offer and agreement.

UBCM encourages local governments to continue to discuss with
MMBC their respective financial incentive offers and issues regarding the
proposed MMBC agreement. Local
governments are also encouraged to seek clarification from MMBC on the
organization's option of providing additional time for local governments to
consider MMBC's financial incentive offer.

The UBCM Recycling Negotiating Committee will continue to
provide regular updates on its deliberations via UBCM's electronic newsletter,
the Compass, and member releases,
where appropriate.